What are the main reasons that teen boys lose their interest in reading?

Question

Teen boys are notorious non-readers of books. Check any Teen section of any book store and you'll notice that teen girls make up the vast majority of customers. Do boys not read because there are no books that interest them, or are there no books that interest them because they don't read? Or is it some other reason?

Answer 1

I think part of it is that there are so many other ways to be entertained. With tv, you just sit there, and let it soak in. With video games, it's kind of like a book, but more addicting. When you read a book, you have to concentrate on reading, and the gratification might not be as instant as other ways of entertaining yourself. People are just getting too impatient to read, I think.

I think it's also linked to our failing education system. There are a lot of people who do not read very well. Sure, they can get by in everyday life, but reading for pleasure is too difficult, so they just don't do it. Besides, being smart is NOT cool, which I think is horrible. We need to encourage learning and emphasize education...stop this "dumbing down" that we're experiencing. Maybe then people of all ages will read more.

Answer 2

I believe the main reason books have lost interest in all genders not just teen boys is because we live in a world that wants things now, with movies, TV, computers, and video games, people don't like to read a book that takes days or even weeks when they can just watch TV for two hours and be done with it. In to days world books just don't get information out fast enough ppl just don't have the time to sit down and read a good book anymore.

Answer 3

I'll tell you why. I am 18 years old and found out I liked reading when i was about 16. I thought i hated reading, because all i read were old novels that the school made me read. I finally took a proficiency in reading class where you read what you want. I found out that I loved reading. The problem was that I wasn't getting anything out of those novels. Girls can read them and they find the morals of the story and they relate to the twists and irony, but guys don't do this. Find out what subjects he likes and have him read some NON-fiction books. He could even learn to like reading from reading magazines. Check out this website and it has some magazines and books that teen boys would like: http://giftsforteenboys.sitesled.com

Answer 4

well im a teenage boy of 15 almost 16 and ive been reading books for a long time the main reason y i dont read anymore is because each time i read a book thats really good then you have to buy one thats equally good or better and thats very hard to do. i recently read wicked which was a good book so now i cant find another one. plus the fact that im usually swamped in homework or some bs like that.

Answer 5

I simply believe it is because many teenage boys are not encouraged to read. All too often, the media markets things like video games with such zeal it makes boys literally lose interest in reading. Or it could be that current trends in music or pop culture are making reading seem "uncool" or "unmanly". Either way, it has become a Catch 22- publishing companies don't target many boys because they feel they won't sell much, and as a result there is nothing for the boys to read and find interesting even if they did want to read.

Answer 6

1) video games 2) girls 3) lack of interesting reading material

How many times can one be forced to read "lord of the flies" and "where the red fern grows", and those blasted harry potter books? Boys are different from girls. Meet them half way and have them read video game magazines.

Answer 7

I highley disagree. Teen boys don't read and teen girls don't read. in general teens don't read. this is because they have things they would rather do and they think books are boring and don't relate to their life. as a teen girl w/ many teen girl and guy friends i would know.

Answer 8

Boys have more acrtivities to do, i mean like sports..not to mention video games or else. As you notice, those teen girls usually go for chick flicks, looking for romance over novels. hahaha..but seriously, when girls pun on masker, they need to kill time and maybe then they read the book ;) Teen boys are started to know sex, they will focus more on that in spite of book, hahaha.

Answer 9

Teens are becoming lazy to think, to write and to read due a modern way of life, offering Cable TV, Cine,Games, Computers and activities where they don't need build, all things are made.

Answer 10

Probably because their hormones are kicking in, and a book isn't going to satisfy that.